AD/PA-23/85 - Hydraulic Hose Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, were enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia. The legislation, overseen by the Australian Parliament, was introduced to address the need for stringent safety standards and compliance measures to prevent accidents and ensure the integrity of aircraft operations. One of the directives under this Act is the AD/PA-23/85, which pertains to the inspection of hydraulic hoses on Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced in response to the issue of certain hydraulic hoses being manufactured with materials that do not meet the required pressure standards, posing a significant safety risk. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 822 within 10 hours of time in service after 19 May 1986, thereby enhancing the safety of the aircraft in question.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/PA-23/85, pertains to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, with a focus on hydraulic hose inspections. This directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers, including PA-23-150/160 Apache aircraft serial numbers 23-1 to 23-2046 and PA-23-235 Apache aircraft serial numbers 27-505 to 27-622, as well as PA-23-250 Aztec aircraft serial numbers 27-1 to 27-8154030. The requirement necessitates action in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 822, with compliance mandated within 10 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance on 19 May 1986. This regulation ensures that the aircraft meet safety standards by addressing issues with hydraulic hoses that were manufactured using materials that do not meet the necessary pressure requirements for operation in the aircraft hydraulic system. The scope of this directive is confined to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that only the affected aircraft are subject to this directive.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, address the safety and operational standards for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. Under AD/PA-23/85, the regulation requires that certain hydraulic hoses undergo inspection in compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 822. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the PA-23-150/160 Apache (S/Nos. 23-1 to 23-2046 and 27-505 to 27-622) and the PA-23-250 Aztec (S/Nos. 27-1 to 27-8154030). The action must be taken within 10 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 19 May 1986. The obligations under this regulation are clear and straightforward. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the specified hydraulic hoses are inspected in accordance with the procedures outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 822. This includes verifying that the material used in the hoses meets the necessary pressure requirements for safe operation in the aircraft hydraulic system. The compliance must be achieved within the stipulated timeframe of 10 hours of time in service after the directive was issued. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD/PA-23/85 directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can enforce penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines or other regulatory actions. The specific penalties for breach are not detailed in the provided text, but under Australian aviation regulations, the severity of penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. It is important for aircraft operators to adhere to these directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.